May 1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PE stick to the four buildings as originally planned, or if he could switch to two. It was generally felt that two buildings would be better, and that underground parking should be required. The plans are to convert the apartments into condo- miniums in about four years. Fascinating meetings at both Planning Commission and at Council concern- ing the request to build two earth -sheltered homes in Karth Lake Estates. The location appears to be ideal because the back of the homes the north side) would be built into a hill along Highway 96, while the front (the south) would be open to the sun. A problem arose when it was mentioned that Arden Hills does not allow occupancy of a "cellar", and according to our definition of a "cellar" (more than I of floor to ceiling height below the average grade), that's what an earth -sheltered house is. It was finally decided, after untold hours of discussion, to grant a var- iance for these two particular homes and to have a Planning Commission sub- committee come up with a definition of "earth -sheltered house". Everyone wants to encourage the development of this type of housing because of the terrific R amount of energy it saves, but several Councilmen expressed concern over the aesthetics also. What if an owner just built a regular house in a regular neighborhood and then covered it with 18" of dirt? Councilman Hanson said he might have a little difficulty accepting this. It was also decided, for the time being, to consider each earth -sheltered home on an individual basis. Q. - n� "Well, it meets all the Building Codes!" Arden Hills is currently investigating criteria to determine the use of "No Parking" signs. Apparently there is a problem at each end of Venus Avenue, which is in a residential neighborhood, because of the way the road curves into the connecting streets. When cars are parked on both sides of the curves, it is almost impossible for emergency vehicles, snow plows, and garbage trucks to get past. The City Engineer is trying to figure something out. Along with this problem, the word "intersection" occured. Is it an "inter- section" when one street meets another at 900 but does not cross? And how about Connelly Avenue which forms a loop around Flaherty's, makes two 900 turns and is still the same road? What this town needs is a City Lexicologist (one who studies and compiles the meanings of words ). He could also tell us what is a "drive-in", an "entrance monument", an "earth -sheltered home", a "cellar", a "flood", etc. etc. POTPOURRI: Arden Hills has decided not to buy the page in the AH-SV-Vadnais Heights -North Oaks directory that lists all the churches, schools, etc. in AH. It costs $345 ...... The entrance monuments for Briarknoll were finally turned down by the Council for several reasons..... The Village is going to buy a new soft drink dispenser at a cost of $250. The price will continue at 20¢ per bottle and all profits will go into the General Fund ..... The Public Works Dept. ' is going to get a new pick-up truck.... The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department is changing its policy and will now accept reports of minor theft losses (under $100) by telephone.....Brighton ' Veterinary Hospital is the place that our Community Service Officer takes your